Bubbles Week will embrace sparkling wine

Wine country  Hosted by Argyle, weeklong events focus on fun and education

Its all about the bubbles. At least it is for Argyle with the second annual Portland Bubbles Week.

The idea of Bubbles Week is really rooted (in) the history of the Argyle winery, said Cathy Martin, the winerys marketing director. Sparkling wine is what Argyle Winery was founded on  the winery was actually started in 1987 with the idea of making cool-climate sparkling wine in Oregon.

Last year, she said they decided to make a week dedicated to the bubbly beverage and it was a hit.

I know a lot of people come down to the winery, but theres a lot of people who arent able to come down, Martin said. So we decided to take a week and dedicate activities and fun events and a dedicated opportunity all geared around sparkling wine and to take it to Portland.

The week of events includes multiple tastings, vineyard tours, happy hours, pairing menus and opportunity to learn a bit about the wine.

We actually try to incorporate a lot of the partners we work with anyway, she said. These including Portland Center Stage, The Parish, Pix Patisserie, The Bent Brick and Salt & Straw. Its very ambitious.

Unlike last year, Argyle rented Union/Pine in Portland to make things a little easier. And accommodate larger crowds.

So were going to be able to take our stuff and leave it there and repurpose the room, Martin said. That allows us to have bigger events. Were trying to expand it be able to accommodate the number of people wed like to without putting our partners out, having to close restaurants to accommodate that size of a crowd.

With more than 30 events spanning the week, and 2,300 people participating last year, Martin said the reception is really a reflection on the hard work Argyle has put into its relationships the past 26 or so years.

Thats where these relationships were born and were just expanding on those, she said.

Two examples include a mignonette chef competition pairing oysters and wine and the limited edition Salt & Straw Argyle flavor.

This one is an Argyle brut mimosa sherbet, she said. It is so good.

But amongst all the fun, Martin said the best part of Bubbles Week is the outreach.

Its one of those events where the biggest value that we see is just getting out there and being able to see our customers and being able to talk to them, she said.

Bubbles Week runs May 4-11. For more information, visit www.pdxbubbles.com.